Recipients of the Citizen’s Day Awards in 2025
- Kertu Künnapas
- Anni Roost
- Jaana Laanemann
- Kersti Tammesaar
- Margit Saar-Kraavi
- Tähti Marjamäe
- Ahti Bleive
- Ann Õun
- Ott Pruulmann
- Gregor Männi
- Mihhail Semiyanov
- Sulev Lääne
- Enelis Linnas
- Lauri Beekmann
- Pille Tutt
Recipients of the Citizen’s Day Awards in 2024
- Grete Arro
- Anne Saavaste
- Kristiina Adamson
- Maarja-Liisa Lepsalu
- Ago Ambur
- Kaisa Vahtmäe
- Kristina Kuldma
- Maidu Lempu
- Johannes Tõrs
- Sandra Liiv
- Riive Tamm
- Piret Haljend
- Ülle Jääger
- Eevi Paasmäe
- Janek Murakas
Recipients of the Citizen’s Day Awards in 2023
- Andra Liibek – For civic initiative and developing, promoting, and preserving village communities in Rapla County
- Ave Liiv – For active volunteer work in the cancer treatment foundation ‘The Gift of Life’ and MTÜ Vaikuse Lapsed (NGO Children Born Silent)
- Eha Toomsar – For the notable promotion of civic awareness among pensioners in Haapsalu
- Eve Breidaks – For active volunteer work as an assistant police officer at the South Prefecture and in the Estonian Red Cross
- Eve Orlovski – For long-time activity and diverse engagement of young people in the Estonian Defence League and the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation
- Eve Tobias – For a great contribution to raising awareness about civil protection among the people in Estonia and active leadership in the Vääna-Jõesuu Village Society
- Karin Kruup – For the initiative to establish the community centre at Kopli 93, including a community garden, repair shop, and training apiary
- Karin Leet – For developing children’s reading skills and supporting their mental health as a volunteer at the Central Library of Tallinn
- Kerte Juhkov – For assisting people in need in the local community and organising the Week of Kindness
- Maarja-Liis Orgmets – For active participation in the North Estonian Association of the Blind
- Olga Palu – For notable volunteer work as a pensioner in the development and diversification of joint activities in the Karksi region
- Riho Juurik – For founding the Saue Volunteer Firefighting Society and excellent leadership thereof
- Sergei Metlev – For long-time activity as an assistant police officer and participation in the social debate about integration, education, security, and other topics
- Siiri Visnapuu – For initiating new traditions, involving local residents in activities, and improving their well-being as the village elder of Pärnamäe
Recipients of the Citizen’s Day Awards in 2022
Eve Soopa – the chair of the board of the Sürgavere Village Society, village elder, member of the rural municipality council, chairwoman of the Lions Club Viljandi Ellips, instructor of the handicraft club, and much more. She is the main organiser and leader of local events such as the Shrove Tuesday in Sürgavere, the Independence Day, or the first Advent Sunday. Charity and helping others always have a place in her heart, for instance, involving Ukrainian war refugees in the song and dance festival of the rural municipality, knitting socks to be sent to Ukraine, assisting local residents during power cuts, or writing Christmas cards to local people;
Ivi Sark – she is active in several different areas: organising the Adult Learner’s Week, organising study trips and fairs related to the development of the local community, and leading the Arts and Crafts Society of Rapla County as well as MTÜ Raplamaa Külade Liit (Association of Villages of Rapla County). She believes that everything depends on ourselves and our courage to take initiative. This year, the 20th Christmas Fair of Rapla is organised under her leadership, while the Spring and Autumn Fairs celebrate the same anniversary next year – all of those are among the largest fairs in the county;
Julia Stolberova – she has been an active volunteer in various social projects for more than ten years, supporting children and young people with special needs and their parents. Recently, she was recognised for that by the City of Tallinn, which has added to her motivation to continue her activities. During the last year, she organised international projects and local trainings despite the COVID pandemic, as she is convinced that involvement and pursuing a common goal will help Estonia to remain a democratic state;
Kaidi Kornak – she believes that volunteer work is an opportunity to showcase one’s skills and it helps to contribute to a better living environment and a stronger community spirit locally. She has been a member of the Board of the NGO Ettevõtlikud Naised Raplamaal (Entrepreneurial Women in Rapla County) for nearly 12 years to support the more active role of Estonian women in the entrepreneurship and public life; for instance, by organising the Women’s Nights Film Festival. As a volunteer, she has helped Ukrainian war refugees in Rapla rural municipality with the necessary home appliances, furniture, etc., and participated in the activity of Rapla Rahvakool MTÜ (NGO People’s School of Rapla), providing trainings to local people;
Kaja Schumann – one of the key activists of the Estonian Coeliac Society, who celebrated ten years in the society this autumn. She is a great example of a person who gradually takes on more and more responsibilities and supports the entire local community with their activity. She has actively participated in organising conferences/fairs focused on coeliac disease in various cities across Estonia to provide support to people affected by coeliac disease. One of her long-time dreams came true this year – the first children’s camp of the society was organised;
Kristina Ojamäe-Lankov – in 2019, she and her husband founded the NGO Korl Est, which provides cleaning services. The income from the services is used to provide people in financial difficulties and large families with food, clothing, and other necessary items. She has built up a network of trust where people in difficult situations are willing to turn to her for help. She also organises charitable yard sales and makes handmade soaps and candles to sell – everything to help those in need in every way possible. She is also a good example of a promoter of community activities: she has organised cleaning up and exercising challenges, set up a ‘reflector tree’ in front of her home, and also been active in the Sindi Firefighters’ Society since 2020;
Käti Teär-Riisaar – a notable citizen and leader of the local community. In just a few years, she has managed to transform the fragmented local community in Paldiski into one of the best-functioning local communities in Estonia. She has initiated and organised several events in Paldiski which have become traditional, such as the Community Day, retro nights, quizzes, etc. She is active in various areas of the local community – leading the local mixed choir, participating in the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation, and volunteering at the food sharing pantry in Paldiski. This year, she has also gained recognition by helping war refugees from Ukraine in Lääne-Harju rural municipality by bringing together those in need and those offering assistance;
Merili Ginter – there are many active and resourceful people in Estonia who contribute to the development of the Estonian society. She, however, has either led or helped to establish several projects of great significance in her 23 years. She has led the charity project ‘Our Contribution’, which collected almost 100,000 euros for purchasing insulin pumps for children with Type 1 diabetes, her activity in the organisation Changemakers has helped more than 2,000 young people to become more enterprising, and she has acted as the main organiser of Impact Day, the first and largest sustainability festival in the Baltic countries;
Nele Pernits – over more than 20 years, she has gained recognition in the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation with her contribution to the development of the organisation, as a volunteer leader on different levels. The digital learning resources of the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation were implemented largely thanks to her. This spring, she led the organisation of crisis preparation workshops in various places in Rapla County, crisis trainings for NGOs of the county, and web-based trainings for institutions. She is without a doubt one of the most inspirational people in the Märjamaa region, someone who always finds the time and energy to organise important activities for the local community. Thanks to her, the tradition of lighting candles in the churchyard of Märjamaa on the Commemoration Day of the Victims of Deportation has been firmly established;
Signe Värv – in addition to her daily work as research fellow at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the University of Tartu, she is always willing to help organise learning activities for every age group. Starting from April this year, she has organised the weaving of camouflage nets to help Ukraine. Hundreds of square metres of camouflage nets have been delivered, materials provided, premises equipped, and volunteers engaged thanks to her. The activity initiated by her is a great example of true cross-community work which unites people to help those who need it most;
Tiina Hussar – as an active volunteer, she collects donations at the Hille Tänavsuu foundation ‘The Gift of Life’ for cancer treatment, which is a subject close to her heart. She also volunteers at Saagu Parem MTÜ (Make It Better NGO), sorting clothes and other items donated to the organisation, the sales proceeds of which are used to assist large and low-income families. She is a kind and helpful person who would help everyone in need if possible, animals as well as people;
Triinu Priks – 15 years ago, she founded the Viljandi Animal Shelter; the local government provided the premises and people created the best possible conditions for homeless pets with their own money and hands to help them return home. Today, Varjupaikade MTÜ (Animal Shelters NGO) has six shelters across Estonia, several of which have been built thanks to donations and active volunteers. Her dream has also come true – an animal welfare centre for pets who have to wait longer for adoption or who cannot stay with their owners. Over this time, she has helped tens of thousands of animals and people either to return home or to find a new home. Where others see an issue, she sees solutions;
Tuuliki Oberschneider – she is one of the five volunteer founding members of MTÜ Käsikäes Ukrainlastele (NGO Hands For Ukraine). Tuuliki began helping refugees with advice and support right from the start of the war, working at the reception centre on Niine Street in Tallinn. She and other like-minded people soon founded the organisation Hands For Ukraine and engaged kind-hearted entrepreneurs in its activity to find accommodation for the refugees. She managed to convince the owners of vacant living spaces to let refugees use them. Thanks to her, many volunteers and entrepreneurs became involved. Her story is an inspiration to all volunteers who have contributed and continue to contribute their time and means to assist Ukrainian war refugees;
Veronika Isberg – her commitment, energy, resourcefulness, and positive mindset are a great example for everyone. For many years, she has contributed in the board of MTÜ Oma Pere (NGO Own Family), actively mentored foster families, assisted in informing the public about foster care, and shared the story of her own family to encourage new foster families to start parenting. In addition to this, she is active in the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation and has participated in the development of the local community of Vormsi in recent years.
Recipients of the Citizen’s Day Awards in 2021
- Põltsamaa Medical Centre was completed and opened thanks to her. Merle Mölder was one of the first in Estonia who organised the prompt vaccination of teachers and enabled many residents of Põltsamaa rural municipality to receive their first vaccine dose on 6 March as a part of a pilot project of the Estonian Health Board. She also organised vaccinations at the village centres in Põltsamaa rural municipality, always being present to provide explanations and answers to questions about vaccination. She has said, ‘I need to do my best to enable the doctors to focus on their work, so I take care of the administrative work.’ The recipient of the award – Merle Mölder!
- She has served as a member of the board of the Association of Visually Impaired People of Lääne County. As a member of the association, she is a bright, active, helpful person and a great supporter of the community of visually impaired people, always coming up with a solution or an opportunity for every problem. She actively participates in the activity of the association of the blind, organises various events and outings, and manages the club Pääsusilm. She is a person with an incredibly warm and generous soul. As a child of a large family and a sighted person, she can perceive people better than those who share the fate of the blind. Her greatest wish is that visually impaired people could participate in public life as much and as actively as possible. As an active person, she can inspire others with positivity, which gives the visually impaired people plenty of energy to avoid becoming passive and depressed. The recipient of the award is Õie Rogovskaja!
- She is the leader of the language immersion section and has organised various events for the preservation of the Estonian language in Sillamäe. In 2021, she received an Order of Merit from the President of the Republic for promoting language immersion in Ida-Viru County. She counsels parents of special needs children and has supported the children’s hospital as well as several shelters through various projects. She has a heart of gold and most importantly – she also teaches it to children and engages the local community. She was the first to organise a ‘reflector tree’ in the city, where everyone who did not have a reflector could take one. Reflectors and cards made at the workshop organised by Maarika were gifted to the elderly and to local organisations in the city to make Christmas more visible and happier. She preserves and passes on cultural heritage. She values protecting and learning about one’s country and local area by teaching the Estonian language and culture to children. Maarika Priske!
- He is a data security specialist with 25 years of experience, who has been involved in the launching of many major encryption-related projects. In addition to his everyday work, he is committed to presenting the history of Estonia and its people to the future generations. He is a passionate collector and repairer of historic bicycles and gramophones and researches the history of manors and the road network in Estonia. He has published dozens of books and articles about local history. He is one of the few people who has visited every manor in Estonia. He has recorded those significant landmarks of the Estonian cultural heritage on the website mois.ee, developed through volunteer work. He has founded the Estonian Bicycle Museum in Väätsa, which currently receives several thousands of visitors per year. This memory institution, functioning actively thanks to Praust’s civic activity, is a good example of the importance of an individual’s role in valuing cultural heritage. Valdo Praust!
- He has served as the village elder of Kautjala-Patika for a long time. The locals already call him village elder emeritus. He is an inspirational member of the local community who is able to achieve a lot in addition to his daily work. He sings in the Patika Village Choir and has been its leader ever since the choir was established. He is also the heart and soul of the sports life of the village and has participated in the village movement of Harju County for many years; he and his wife are currently active in the Association of Large Families of Harju County and their workdays often become very long. Margus Vain!
- For the third year in a row, he is organising the charitable event ‘Father Christmas Preedik’ in Järva rural municipality; during the event, Father Christmas drives around in the entire region and gives candy bags to all children in exchange for reciting a verse. In addition to this, Father Christmas visits low-income families across the rural municipality. Last Christmas, Father Christmas Preedik gave away almost 600 candy bags and the children of the families whom Father Christmas visited received exactly the present they had wished for, regardless of its cost. While the activity of the first year was mostly financed by himself, the initiative has now engaged many local sponsors who also want to do good in their community. Father Christmas Preedik makes every Christmas memorable in the local community and makes the dreams of children in low-income families come true. Priit Seire!
- For many years, she has worked with the future generations of the Estonian Defence League and the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation, as a volunteer instructor of Young Eagles and Home Daughters. She has been awarded the title of Youth Leader of the Year 2020. She is also the elder of the Lääne District of Home Daughters and the chairwoman of the Haapsalu Section of the Lääne District of the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation. All of these positions and duties are voluntary. In addition, she leads a group of Home Daughters in Lääne County. She has been a youth leader for 17 years in total. She has contributed to the campaign ‘Anname au’ (Let Us Salute) in Haapsalu for many years and assisted in the celebration of holidays and memorial days in Lääne County. Maire Kruus!
- For years, he has actively participated in MTÜ Eesti Vabaduse Eest (NGO For the Freedom of Estonia); in cooperation with patriotic organisations, he has helped to organise meetings and lectures about the recent history of Estonia for both younger and older audiences. In recent years, lectures, video resources, and printed materials about the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Tartu, the 30th anniversary of the Restoration of Estonian Independence, and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and its secret protocols have been prepared and presented. He has been one of the initiators and organisers of this extensive volunteer work. Several initiatives to commemorate our political and cultural figures and recipients of the Cross of Liberty can be attributed to him; in recent years, several other patriotic organisations and schools have also been involved. Jüri Trei!
- She has led the village movement of Rapla County for many years. She knows what she is talking about and what works best. She advocates the preservation and development of village communities in both word and deed. As a member of the local municipal council, she always supports a more transparent government, the involvement of local communities, and practical cooperation with them. An active leader of local activities for over 20 years, she values the village communities and the local area. The community of her home village Lipa is active and outstanding under her leadership; after the Lipa School was closed, the school building got a new purpose as the local leisure centre thanks to her. Anne Kalf!
- He is one of the initiators of the Facebook initiative ‘Märka meedikut’ (Notice Medics). With the help of his team, he has set his heart on supporting healthcare professionals across Estonia during the current hard times, as the staff in hospitals work every day to save the lives of our people. Medical personnel and support staff do this daily despite overwork and exhaustion, without knowing when this health crisis will end. The Facebook page ‘Märka meedikut’, which currently has 2,000 Facebook members, collects donations from private persons and companies, which are used to deliver ‘thank you’ gifts to hospitals across Estonia. The initiative has also managed to engage several private companies, which have donated various gifts to medics. Sven Salumets!
- She has worked in the area of culture for 46 years, with special focus on passing on folk culture. She has established, led, and developed several collectives and organisations – as the director of Oisu Folk House, the director of Türi Museum, and currently the director of the Türi Cultural Centre for 18 years. She plays in the brass band Türi, the Kabala Alumni Orchestra, and the Oisu Folk Orchestra. The concern and love for the Estonian folk culture has made her the Grand Old Lady of folk culture everywhere in Estonia. She was a member of the initiative group for MTÜ Eesti Rahvamajade Ühing (NGO Estonian Community Centres Union) and has served as its chair since its establishment in 2007. The union unites employees of community centres and persons who are interested in and contribute to development of community centres to value community centres as preservers of Estonian cultural traditions and emphasise the role of their employees in public life. Ülle Välimäe!
- Her volunteer contribution to the protection, preservation, passing on, and presentation of Seto handicraft over the years has been remarkable. In 2021, she led the organisation of the following events: the 28th Seto Lace Days in Värska, the 3rd Seto Handicraft and Language Camp in the village of Litvina, the Open Day of Seto Handicraft Houses, the St. Martin’s Day Fair of Setomaa. Through her volunteer work, she has organised cooperation between the artisans of Setomaa and supported them in the acquisition and marketing of new skills and know-how. Her volunteer contribution to the Seto handicraft is a good example of how an active citizen can assist in the preservation and passing on of cultural traditions in every possible way. Ingrit Kala!
- He has long been indispensable due to his work for the development of civil society, for the civic sector as well as the public sector. He contributes to the development of legislation, integration, volunteer activities, and public discussions, reducing bureaucracy, increasing transparency, and other areas, some of which are related to his work duties, but as a passionate citizen and advocate of human rights, his work days often stretch to the morning hours. Alari Rammo!
- She has managed the smallest general hospital in Estonia for many years, ensuring the access to medical care for both local residents and tourists in Hiiumaa. During the last two years, she has significantly contributed to the management of the COVID crisis on the island by organising testing, vaccination (including a mobile vaccination team) and naturally also treatment. She always finds a solution, even despite interruptions in the ferry or helicopter traffic. It is remarkable that the smallest general hospital in the country can still provide obstetric care on the island. Riina Tamm!
- She instructs and teaches young people living abroad at the Global School to enable them to enter Estonian universities and colleges. The Global School has been active since 2013; this year, it assists the studies of 240 students from 31 different countries. Her contribution thus enables children living in different parts of the world to preserve and develop their Estonian language skills and to return to Estonia, should they wish to do so. Helja Kirber!